Daoist martial cultivation

This in-person class is taught in the very old school method. It is not an ordinary martial arts class.The methods and material taught are the very same as the Daoist monks and priests have learned since ancient times.​It will try you on every level. And it will transform you deeply

​Daoist Internal vs. Ordinary External Kung Fu Styles​The definition of what constitutes an "internal" or "external" style of martial arts training varies widely. Some teachers will tell you that an internal style is characterized by "soft" techniques, while external styles feature "hard" methods.

Others maintain that the internal styles are "defensive" while the external arts are "offensive" in nature. The reality is such a distinction is purely a western concept. In Daoism the idea of inner and outer are products of the mind alone.

Even the idea of Inner (Nei) and Outer (Wei) Qi, or energy, is a misnomer because they are simply dual aspects of the same thing. For example, in Chinese Medicine the energy that flows outside the skin is called protective Qi (Wei Qi). The Qi that moves within the veins is called nutritive Qi (Ying Qi).

Even though the location is different they are just the Yin and Yang aspects of the same thing. So why name them separately then? Simple specificity of the location you’re talking about identifies the function of the Qi in question. Not the Qi itself.

When talking about Daoist internal arts, the Qi is developed through practicing specific postures and sounds, mental imaging and breathing techniques. This "internal" training is generally referred to, in Chinese, as Qigong or Neigong meaning "Qi work" and "internal work/discipline," respectively.

The vast majority of martial arts today, such as Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Shaolin Kung Fu and so on, practice their martial arts applications and their Qigong separately, sitting down before or after a training session or performing various exercises specifically designed to cultivate the Qi.

The idea is that eventually the two aspects will manifest themselves as one, with every strike or defense harnessing the power of the Qi.

Others, however, incorporate the Qigong breathing and mental focus techniques directly into the martial applications from day one. In general, the latter approach is far more difficult to master, and requires a much longer period of training before the practitioner can effectively use the techniques for martial purposes.

At the Four Dragons Institute we combine the two, but for a completely different purpose.

There are many martial arts schools throughout the world which focus on combat techniques, self-defense, and dealing with confrontation.​

At the Four Dragons Institute however, we leave the external conflicts to those that focus their attention and training outwardly.

We focus on the conflict that people, no matter their proclivity for violence or pacifism, are constantly engaged in.

​ The conflict within their minds and hearts. The Daoist sage Lao Tzu wrote “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Conquering others is strength; conquering yourself is true power

THE THREE INTERNAL SISTERS

The most commonly known internal Chinese Daoist arts are Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua. Learned together they are sometimes known as the ‘Three Internal Sisters’.

​The purpose of teaching them at the Four Dragons Institute is not for striving or contending with other people, but to learn to cease the strife within your heart and mind. “The body is the dwelling place of Qi. The heart is the residence of the spirit. When the mind is moved, spirit is agitated; when spirit is agitated, qi is dispersed.” (Lao Tzu, Wondrous Scripture for Daily Internal Practice of the Great High Lord Lao) When the heart is at peace, your whole world will be at peace.

*Note: All students who finish this course with the satisfactory skill and competence necessary for graduation will be eligible for testing for their First Degree Black Belt and entry into the Ching Yi Kung Fu Association (CYKFA). However, it is not mandatory and completely voluntary.

About the Instructor:

Lao Shi, Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM), MAOM, L.Ac Daoist Abbot & PriestLao Da Long began his training in Chinese martial and medical arts and spirituality at a young age.Apprenticed to a Chinese master, he was classically trained in the Daoist/Chan Buddhist spiritual paths as well as martial arts, acupuncture, herbs, qigong, and more.

Lao Shi is a 21st Generation Longmen (Dragon Gate) Daoist Priest, a Diplomat of Oriental Medicine certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), a Licensed Acupuncturist in the State of Texas, a professional member of the International Medical Veritas Association (IMVA) as well as a Zheng Yi Daoist Priest.

Chen Taiji

Supreme Ultimate ExchangingOften called "meditation in motion," Taiji is characterized by slow, rhythmic, relaxed movements and is widely known for its health benefits. In fact, it has become increasingly popular over the past 30 years in the West merely as a form of exercise therapy to reduce stress, lose weight, lower blood pressure, and promote general health and well-being. However, taught in its entirety, Taiji is a very powerful and effective internal art for learning how to move in clarity and stillness through your world. Daoist Taiji masters of old possessed extraordinary inner strength and peace, and from that a deep well of insights and longevity of health and vitality were produced as a result. When you practice Taiji, you learn to become as diffuse as mist and peaceful inside as the clouds.Taiji is the physical manifestation of the "Yin and Yang" cosmology, commonly illustrated as the intertwined dark and light halves of a circle. In Chinese, this combination of the Yin (dark, passive, feminine) and the Yang (bright, active, masculine) is called the Taiji symbol ("Grand Terminus," or "Supreme Ultimate"). During this course, there will be only one Wu style inner cultivation form taught by Lao Da Long. All of the rest will be taught by Chen Taiji Master Blue Siytangco.For more information about Master Blue's Taiji training click here

Xingyi

Mind/Intention and Body formXingyi is rather straightforward and simplistic in appearance when compared to other Chinese arts, yet is famous for its effectiveness in that it uses the Five Element theory to Create (Xiang Sheng) or Overcome (Xiang Ke) events in our lives. As the name suggests, the overriding emphasis of Xingyi is unifying the will - or the "mind" - with the physical movements. Economy of motion is key; creating and overcoming are simultaneous, as opposed to the "one-two, linear need-to-achieve in order to find peace" techniques found in many other meditative systems. Basic training in Xingyi consists of five actions which correspond to the Chinese cosmological interaction of the five elements, earth, fire, metal, water, and wood. Students then learn intermediate forms combining the 5-element actions. Advanced training includes twelve animal forms, various other combined forms. In problem solving, Xingyi gets straight to the point. The training will impart tools to teach the student how to see the correlative nature of their beliefs and meanings affect their behavior and therefore their very lives. It will also teach how to no longer be obstructed by obstacles of our own making and to instead be able to accept and enjoy those things we need and deserve in life, but that we push away due to our own lack of self-belief and worth

Bagua

Eight Trigram systemBagua is a complex, almost mystical, art based on the Eight Trigrams and 64 Hexagrams of the Daoist I-Ching, or Book of Changes. Bagua utilizes circular twisting, turning movements centered around intricate patterns of footwork. As implied by the name, the primary focus of Bagua is the open palm instead of the closed fist. Bagua practitioners are known for extraordinary balance and inner strength, and the movements of a master of the art has been likened to those of the wind or a shadow – opposing energy launches an offensive and the Bagua practitioner seems to "disappear." In actuality, this is merely the manifestation of the circular movements and the footwork, which enable the Bagua practitioner to quickly evade incoming force and end up beside or behind the opposition. This training will allow the student to see the forces behind their motives and beliefs and show them how all of their behavior in some way or another is simply helping them to get their needs met. Like children, if we cannot get attention in a positive way, we will settle for negative attention. Bagua shows us the nature of our circular thought patterns and the conflicts within our own belief that causes our suffering and limiting beliefs. It also shows us how to overcome our own patterns and to create lasting change and harmony with all of the phenomena within and without us in our lives.